Montador makes transition to Hawks

Defenseman coming off career-best 21 assists last season with Sabres

Goalie Alexander Salak makes a save during the second period against the Red Wings. (Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE)

DETROIT — Steve Montador has had to make several adjustments since arriving in Chicago to play for the Blackhawks.

One of the biggest has been in the city's restaurants.

"You can't order too many appetizers and salads and everything — the portions are huge," Montador said with a laugh.

Thus far, the veteran defenseman, who signed a four-year, $11 million contract with the Hawks after they acquired his rights from the Sabres just prior to free agency, has managed to avoid adding unwanted pounds that could slow him down on the ice.

"I'm aware of portion control," deadpanned Montador, who played 20 minutes, 59 seconds and finished a plus-1 during the Hawks' 4-3 shootout loss to the Red Wings in an exhibition game Sunday at Joe Louis Arena.

The other adjustments have been on the ice as Montador attempts to learn a new system after playing in Buffalo the last two seasons.

"It's been a transition," Montador, 31, said. "Certainly, there have been some moments to learn from. I'm fully aware of the adjustments that need to be done and I'm taking the steps to get ready for that.

"(It's about) aggressive skating and being aware on the ice. What's needed of you positionally is a little bit different from every team but something I'm capable of, for sure."

The Hawks are Montador's sixth NHL team after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Flames for the 2001-02 season. His deal will have him — barring a trade — in a Hawks uniform through 2014-15, putting him with the likes of the team's core of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith.

"I've been on a lot of teams and moved around," said Montador, who has 28 goals, 89 assists and 762 penalty minutes in 519 career games. "It was important for me to want to know where I was going to be for a while. I know what this team wants to do and the core group of guys are here to do that and I'm glad to be a part of that."

Montador had a career-high 21 assists and 26 points last season and led the Sabres with a plus-16 plus-minus rating. He also had 136 blocked shots and 86 penalty minutes. With his new team, Montador sees a chance to win his first Stanley Cup.

"I know people who have won it and I've watched the finals every year since I was kid," Montador said. "You want to do it; you want to win it. I came real close a few years back (in 2004 when the Flames fell in the finals) and kind of got a taste of what was needed … what a team has to go through to get there. It just makes you that much hungrier."

Center stage: Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Patrick Kane will see time at center when he returns from wrist surgery. "He's been playing center throughout scrimmages and practices … (and) he's played center most of his life," Quenneville said. "It's something we're going to at least take a look at."

One-timers: Brandon Pirri had two goals and an assist and Jimmy Hayes a goal and an assist during the Hawks' loss. Valtteri Filppula had a goal and two assists and Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom each had a goal and an assist for the Wings. Zetterberg had the winning shootout goal.